International News
Ex-Minister Accuses Colombia President Of Drug Abuse
A former top minister and once-ally publicly accused Colombia’s president of being a drug addict Wednesday, a charge leftist Gustavo Petro has frequently denied.
Ex-foreign minister Alvaro Leyva released an open letter claiming Petro had disappeared for two days during an official visit to Paris in 2023.
“It was in Paris that I was able to confirm that you have a drug addiction problem,” 82-year-old Leyva said.
These were “embarrassing moments for me as a person and as foreign minister,” he added, without providing more details.
Petro responded on X: “I’ve simply been slandered.”
“During an official visit by a head of state to France, there is always direct and permanent physical protection from the French secret service,” he said.
Petro said he spent those two days with his daughter and grandchildren who live in Paris, and that he was “addicted to love.”
Opposition lawmakers called for Petro to undergo drug and psychiatric tests to determine if he is “fit to govern.”
Although politically conservative, Leyva had been close to the leftist president.
He served as a peace negotiator under a series of Colombian governments of all political shades and twice unsuccessfully ran for the presidency himself.
Colombia’s inspector general forced Leyva’s suspension in early 2024 over the mismanagement of a passport printing tender — a decision Petro opposed and branded politically motivated.
Since then Leyva has hinted that Petro may have a drug problem.
Petro has frequently dismissed such claims and did so again on Wednesday.
He posted on social media that he had better things to do than hang around with his foreign minister.
“Isn’t Paris full of parks, museums, bookstores more interesting than the letter’s writer, to spend two days in? Almost everything in Paris is more interesting.”
“Don’t I have daughters and granddaughters in Paris who are far more interesting than the writer?”
Petro’s stance on drugs has sometimes caused controversy among his conservative opponents.
His frequent unexplained lateness to events has been linked to an alleged addiction. Once, as a candidate, Petro apologized for attending a public event drunk.
He has frequently downplayed the effects of cocaine, backing legalization and claiming whiskey “kills more” people.
During Petro’s tenure, Colombia’s cocaine production has soared to record highs and eradication efforts have slowed.
He recently assured the public that his only addiction was to coffee, another Colombian agricultural staple.
Jeremy Doku insisted Manchester “will keep on fighting” in the Premier League title race despite their “painful” draw with Everton on Monday.
City drew 3-3 with the Toffees at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Doku scoring a 97th-minute equaliser, having also scored the opening goal.
Doku’s equaliser (96:49) is City’s third-latest goal on record (since 2006-07) in a Premier League game after John Stones’ strike against Arsenal in September 2024 (97:14) and Gabriel Jesus’ goal against Everton in February 2019 (96:52).
Doku has had a hand in six goals across his last five games for City in all competitions (four goals, two assists), as many as in his previous 22 games combined (one goal, five assists).
The Belgian also created the most chances in the match against Everton (four), completed the most dribbles (5/7) and won the most duels (14/19).
City avoided defeat in a Premier League game despite trailing by 2+ goals as late as the 82nd minute for the first time since March 2012 against Sunderland (3-3).
They went on to win the league title in 2011-12, and Doku believes City can still beat Arsenal to the trophy this season.
“First half, we played well and created a lot of chances. We know if we don’t score those chances, it is going to get difficult at the end,” said Doku.
“Obviously, they are at their own stadium, they create chances, and they are dangerous, and they scored two goals, but I think we gave them the game.
“Good that we came back because one point is not bad in games like this.
“We will see. It feels painful now. There is still a lot of games to go. We lost two points, but we know that one point can be important at the end.
“We will keep on fighting. We owe it to ourselves and to our fans.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nigerians interested in repatriation from South Africa will be responsible for the cost of their return trip to Nigeria.
The ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, stated this during a press briefing on Monday in Abuja.
The briefing came shortly after a closed-door meeting between the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dunoma Ahmed, and the South African Acting High Commissioner, Lesoli Machele.
Mr Ebienfa said the process will be self-funded and not state-funded, as it is a voluntary decision that the Nigerian government will only facilitate and coordinate.
In the recent past, such reparations have been sponsored by Nigerian airline owners, particularly Allen Onyema, the CEO of Air Peace.
The Nigerian government, on Sunday, indicated its readiness to repatriate its citizens from South Africa due to xenophobic violence.
The effort primarily targets Nigerians who feel threatened by the xenophobic violence and tension in parts of South Africa, as the protests against black immigrants in the country continue. Two Nigerians were killed last month.
Since the announcement, about 130 Nigerians in South Africa have expressed a willingness to return home voluntarily.
Mr Ebienfa stated that the return of the Nigerians depends on their financial capacity, as they would be expected to fund their trip back home individually.
He said, “Those willing to leave are expected to approach the high commission and, given that their decision is voluntary, have the resources to fund their return to Nigeria.”
The government will not “provide an aircraft from Nigeria to convey them.”
He also noted that the speed of the repatriation process will be determined by the availability of funds.
“Yes, 130 as of this morning have registered, but actualisation would be required to have their flight ticket to move back to Nigeria.”
Mr Ebienfa also explained that Nigerians who have so far expressed interest are motivated either by concerns about threats to their lives or by fear of arrest by South African law enforcement agencies.
“There are two groups of Nigerians who want to come back. One group feels the country is not safe for them and wants to come. They have all their papers intact.
“Then there is also the second group that has travel document violations or resident permit violations. And instead of running away from law enforcement, they are appealing that the government facilitate their movement back to Nigeria,” he explained.
However, he noted that the process is still being worked out and that the government would step in to provide aircraft or other needed assistance if tensions rise and the situation becomes more volatile.
The Reuters Iran Briefing newsletter keeps you informed with the latest developments and analysis of the Iran war. Sign up here.
-
Health & Wellness9 months agoPresident Tinubu Directs Cut in Dialysis Cost from ₦50,000 to ₦12,000
-
News9 months agoPICTURE: In Lagos Couple Sentenced to 22½ Years for Cannabis Trafficking
-
Trending News9 months agoNELFUND Disburses ₦86bn To 449,000 Beneficiaries
-
Business1 month agoDangote Refinery Reduces Petrol Gantry Price To ₦1,200 Per Litre
-
Business1 month agoAfter Plea Bargain, Court Discharges Stella Oduah of ₦2.5bn Fraud
-
International News1 month agoIndian Police Arrest Nigerian Over ₦290m Drug Haul
-
News3 years ago2023 Elections: Outgoing Rwandan High Commissioner say s Nigeria, ‘ handle their destiny’ in a peaceful way.
-
Business2 years agoHeritage Bank Customers’ Path to Securing ₦5m Insured Funds: A Step-By-Step Guide by NDIC”